One of the most popular teams in the Indian Premier League, the Royal Challengers Bangalore will hoping to end their trophy drought, finally in 2024. But the Faf du Plessis-led side hasn’t made its job easy with an average auction which created more headaches than find solutions. In 2023, the Bengaluru-based franchise missed out on the playoffs and had to settle for a sixth place finish, after losing their final league game.
But in 2024, RCB would hope to maximise their new players while veterans like Du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and Mohammed Siraj showcase their class to win the trophy home. So, ahead of IPL 2024, let’s look at RCB best playing XI.
Strongest Playing XI of RCB
Openers – Faf du Plessis (C), Virat Kohli
Putting aside all issues with the bowling, the Royal Challengers Bangalore can proudly boast having the best opening pair in IPL. Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli have opened the innings 22 times and scored 1183 runs with four 100+ partnerships. Individually in 2023, the duo went blow for blow in the Orange Cap race, with Faf scoring 730 r uns while Kohli ending up with 639 r uns.
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Middle Order – Cameron Green, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell
After the dynamic opening pair, RCB’s middle-order sees massive reinforcements with the trade which brought in Australian all-rounder Cameron Green and the return of Rajat Patidar. Green, playing for Mumbai Indians in 2023, scored 452 runs in 16 matches at an average of 50.22 while Patidar, in IPL 2022, burst on to the scene by scoring 333 runs in eight matches.
Alongside these rising stars, the engine of the RCB lineup remains Aussie star Glenn Maxwell. The Big Show smashed 400 runs in 2023, while playing across the middle-order, at a 183.48 strike rate. This middle order also presents RCB two viable bowling options in Maxwell and Green.
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Lower Order – Dinesh Karthik (wk), Mayank Dagar
RCB’s lower batting comprises of wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, who will be the designated finisher for the side. Despite a poor IPL 2023, Karthik brings a lot of experience and has been performing well for Tamil Nadu in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament.
In 2023, DK scored 183 r uns in six innings at 157.75 strike. As the batting lineup ends with Karthik, left-arm spinner Mayank Dagar should make side. The former Sunrisers Hyderabad star brings in excellent athleticism alongside his bowling and will be handy with the bat as well.
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Bowlers – Vijaykumar Vyshak, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Reece Topley
Talking about the bowling attack, it doesn’t seem changed as Vijaykumar Vyshak, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj and Reece Topley are expected to be Bangalore’s pace battery. Vyshak had a decent IPL 2023 and has grown into a genuine all-rounder in the Ranji Trophy.
After the Karnataka star, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj, India’s Test speedster make the line up. Siraj has been one of the best bowlers in the world and had an excellent 2023, across formats while Akash Deep has been consistently performing in domestic cricket over the last few years. Concluding the XI, England fast bowler Reece Topley is slated to make the side thanks to his wicket-taking ability in the shortest format.
